Computer housing

ABSTRACT

A fastening mechanism includes a mounting seat formed with a mounting hole that extends from a first surface, which is formed with an engaging post extending through a through hole in the frame body and into a fastening hole in a peripheral device, through a second surface opposite to the first surface. An engaging unit includes an operating member disposed outwardly of the second surface, and an engaging member connected to the operating member and disposed outwardly of the first surface. The operating member is operable so as to enable the engaging member to rotate about a central axis of the mounting hole from a disengaged position, where the engaging member disengages an anchoring member on the frame body, to an engaged position, where the engaging member engages the anchoring member on the frame body such that the mounting seat is fastened securely to the frame body.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Taiwanese Application No. 093122390, filed on Jul. 27, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a computer housing, more particularly to a computer housing capable of fastening a peripheral device thereto without the need for tools.

2. Description of the Related Art

Assembly of a peripheral device, such as a floppy disk drive, a hard disk drive or an optical disk drive, to a conventional computer housing can be achieved by means of screw fasteners, each of which extends through a through hole in the conventional computer housing and engages threadedly a screw hole in the peripheral device.

Due to the use of the screw fasteners, tools for tightening and loosening the screw fasteners, such as various types of screwdrivers, are required during assembly and detachment, thereby arising in inconvenience during use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a computer housing that is capable of fastening a peripheral device thereto without the need for tools.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer housing adapted for fastening a peripheral device thereto. The peripheral device is formed with a fastening hole. The computer housing comprises:

-   -   a frame body formed with an anchoring member and a through hole;     -   a mounting seat having a first surface that faces the frame body         and a second surface opposite to the first surface in a         direction, and formed with a mounting hole extending from the         first surface through the second surface, the first surface         being formed with an engaging post extending through the through         hole in the frame body and adapted to extend into the fastening         hole in the peripheral device; and     -   an engaging unit mounted on the mounting seat and rotatable         relative to the mounting seat about a central axis of the         mounting hole in the mounting seat, the engaging unit including     -   an operating member having an operating end portion disposed         outwardly of the second surface of the mounting seat, and a         coupling end portion opposite to the operating end portion in         the direction and disposed in the mounting hole in the mounting         seat, and     -   an engaging member connected to the coupling end portion of the         operating member and disposed outwardly of the first surface of         the mounting seat;     -   the operating member being operable so as to enable the engaging         member to rotate about the central axis from a disengaged         position, where the engaging member disengages the anchoring         member on the frame body, to an engaged position, where the         engaging member engages the anchoring member on the frame body         such that the mounting seat is fastened securely to the frame         body so as to maintain engagement between the engaging post and         the fastening hole in the peripheral device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fastening mechanism for fastening a peripheral device to a frame body. The peripheral device is formed with a fastening hole. The frame body is formed with an anchoring member and a through hole. The fastening mechanism comprises:

-   -   a mounting seat having a first surface that is adapted to face         the frame body and a second surface opposite to the first         surface in a direction, and a mounting hole extending from the         first surface through the second surface, the first surface         being formed with an engaging post adapted to extend through the         through hole in the frame body and adapted to extend into the         fastening hole in the peripheral device; and     -   an engaging unit mounted on the mounting seat and rotatable         relative to the mounting seat about a central axis of the         mounting hole in the mounting seat, the engaging unit including         -   an operating member having an operating end portion disposed             outwardly of the second surface of the mounting seat, and a             coupling end portion opposite to the operating end portion             in the direction and disposed in the mounting hole in the             mounting seat, and         -   an engaging member connected to the coupling end portion of             the operating member and disposed outwardly of the first             surface of the mounting seat;     -   the operating member being operable so as to enable the engaging         member to rotate about the central axis from a disengaged         position, where the engaging member is adapted to disengage the         anchoring member on the frame body, to an engaged position,         where the engaging member is adapted to engage the anchoring         member on the frame body such that the mounting seat is adapted         to be fastened securely to the frame body so as to maintain         engagement between the engaging post and the fastening hole in         the peripheral device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a partly exploded, fragmentary perspective view showing the preferred embodiment of a computer housing according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a mounting seat and an engaging unit of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the mounting seat of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary schematic view showing the preferred embodiment when an engaging member of the engaging unit is in a disengaged position;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary schematic view showing the preferred embodiment when the engaging member is in an engaged position; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment of a computer housing 100 according to the present invention is shown to be adapted for fastening a plurality of peripheral devices 5, such as optical disk drives, thereto. Each peripheral device 5 has opposite lateral sides, each of which is formed with a plurality of fastening holes 51. The computer housing 100 includes a frame body 4, a plurality of mounting seats 1, and a plurality of engaging units 2.

In this embodiment, the frame body 4 includes opposite supporting walls 41, 42 confining an accommodating space therebetween for receiving the peripheral devices 5. The supporting wall 41 corresponds to a respective one of the lateral sides of each peripheral device 5. The supporting wall 41 is formed with a plurality of anchoring members 3 spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction (V), and a plurality of through hole units spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction (V). Each through hole unit corresponds to a respective anchoring member 3, and has two through holes 411 spaced apart from each other in a horizontal direction (H) and arranged so that the respective anchoring member 3 is disposed therebetween. Furthermore, for each through hole 411, the supporting wall 41 of the frame body 4 is further formed with opposite positioning holes 412 spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction (V) and arranged so that the respective through hole 411 is disposed therebetween. It is noted that a distance between the through holes 411 is larger than that between the lower ones of the positioning holes 412 corresponding to the through holes 411, and is smaller than that between the upper ones of the positioning 412 corresponding to the through holes 411. In this embodiment, each anchoring member 3 includes opposite hooks 30, which are formed by punching, spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction (V). Each of the hooks 30 of each anchoring member 3 has a first plate portion 301 connected to the supporting wall 41 of the frame body 4 and extending outwardly in a direction (A) transverse to the vertical and horizontal directions (V, H), and a second plate portion 302 connected to the first plate portion 301 and extending toward the other one of the hooks 30.

Each mounting seat 1, which is rectangular in this embodiment, has a first surface 111 that faces the supporting wall 41 of the frame body 4, and a second surface 112 opposite to the first surface 111 in the direction (A), and is formed with a mounting hole 113 extending from the first surface 111 through the second surface 112. In this embodiment, the first surface 111 is formed with opposite engaging posts 12 spaced apart from each other in the horizontal direction (H) and arranged so that the mounting hole 113 is disposed therebetween, and for each engaging post 12, is further formed with opposite positioning stubs 114 spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction (V) and arranged so that the respective engaging post 12 is disposed therebetween, as best shown in FIG. 2. It is noted that a distance between the opposite engaging posts 12 is equal to that between the through holes 411 of each through hole unit in the supporting wall 41 of the frame body 4, a distance between the lower ones of the positioning stubs 114 corresponding to the opposite engaging posts 12 is equal to that between the lower ones of the positioning holes 412 corresponding to each through hole unit in the supporting wall 41 of the frame body 4, and a distance between the upper ones of the positioning stubs 114 corresponding to the opposite engaging posts 12 is equal to that between the upper ones of the positioning holes 412 corresponding to each through hole unit in the supporting wall 41 of the frame body 4. The engaging posts 12 extend respectively through the through holes 411 of a respective through hole unit in the supporting wall 41 of the frame body 4, and are adapted to extend respectively into corresponding fastening holes 51 in one of the peripheral devices 5. At the same time, the positioning stubs 114 engage respectively the positioning holes 412 that are disposed adjacent to the through holes 411 of the respective through hole unit. In this embodiment, the second surface 112 of each mounting seat 1 is formed with opposite resilient arms 116 thereon, each of which is formed with a positioning protrusion 117, as shown in FIG. 3.

Each engaging unit 2 is mounted on a corresponding mounting seat 1, is rotatable relative to the corresponding mounting seat 1 about a central axis (X) of the mounting hole 113 in the corresponding mounting seat 1, and includes an operating member 22 and an engaging member 21. The operating member 22 has an operating end portion 222 disposed outwardly of the second surface 112 of the corresponding mounting seat 1, and a coupling end portion 221 opposite to the operating end portion 222 in the direction (A) and disposed in the mounting hole 113 in the corresponding mounting seat 1. The engaging member 21 is connected to the coupling end portion 221 of the operating member 22, and is disposed outwardly of the first surface 111 of the corresponding mounting seat 1.

The operating member 22 is operable so as to enable the engaging member 21 to rotate about the central axis (X) from a disengaged position, where the engaging member 21 disengages a respective one of the anchoring members 3 on the supporting wall 41 of the frame body 4, as shown in FIG. 4, to an engaged position, where the engaging member 21 engages the respective one of the anchoring members 3 on the supporting wall 41 of the frame body 4 such that the corresponding mounting seat 1 is fastened securely to the supporting wall 41 of the frame body 4 so as to maintain engagement between the respective engaging posts 12 and the respective fastening holes 51 in the corresponding one of the peripheral devices 5.

In this embodiment, the engaging member 21 of each engaging unit 2 has an engaging end portion 210 provided with opposite engaging flanges 211 to engage respectively the hooks 30 of the respective anchoring member 3 when the engaging member 21 is in the engaged position, as shown in FIG. 5, and an engaging hook 212 extending into the mounting hole 113 in the corresponding mounting seat 1. The engaging end portion 210 is formed with a through hole 213, as shown in FIG. 2.

In this embodiment, the coupling end portion 221 of the operating member 22 of each engaging unit 2 has an engaging wall 2211 extending in the direction (A) from the operating end portion 222 and into the mounting hole 113 in the corresponding mounting seat 1 and formed with an engaging notch 2212 that engages the engaging hook 212 on the engaging member 21, and opposite coupling walls 2213 extending in the direction (A) from the operating end portion 222 and into the mounting hole 113 in the corresponding mounting seat 1 and confining a fastener-receiving space 2214 therebetween, as shown in FIG. 2. A screw fastener 214 extends through the through hole 213 in the engaging end portion 210 of the engaging member 21 and into the fastener-receiving space 2214, and engages threadedly the coupling walls 2213.

In this embodiment, the operating end portion 222 of the operating member 22 of each engaging unit 2 is formed with two opposite pairs of first and second positioning apertures 2221, 2222. The first and second positioning apertures 2221, 2222 in each pair are spaced apart angularly from each other, as shown in FIG. 2. The positioning protrusions 117 on the resilient arms 116 on the corresponding mounting seat 1 engage respectively the first positioning apertures 2221 in the operating end portion 222 when the engaging member 21 is in the disengaged position, and engage respectively the second positioning apertures 2222 in the operating end portion 222 when the engaging member 21 is in the engaged position.

In this embodiment, the supporting wall 42 of the frame body 4 is formed with a plurality of resilient members 421 spaced apart from each other. When the peripheral device 5 is fastened to the computer housing 100, corresponding ones of the resilient members 421 are adapted to abut against the peripheral device 5, as shown in FIG. 6.

To sum up, by manually operating the operating members 22 of the engaging units 2, the computer housing 100 of this invention can enable fastening of the peripheral devices 5 thereto without the need for tools, thereby resulting in convenience during assembly and detachment.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

1. A computer housing adapted for fastening a peripheral device thereto, the peripheral device being formed with a fastening hole, said computer housing comprising: a frame body formed with an anchoring member and a through hole; a mounting seat having a first surface that faces said frame body and a second surface opposite to said first surface in a direction, and formed with a mounting hole extending from said first surface through said second surface, said first surface being formed with an engaging post extending through said through hole in said frame body and adapted to extend into the fastening hole in the peripheral device; and an engaging unit mounted on said mounting seat and rotatable relative to said mounting seat about a central axis of said mounting hole in said mounting seat, said engaging unit including an operating member having an operating end portion disposed outwardly of said second surface of said mounting seat, and a coupling end portion opposite to said operating end portion in the direction and disposed in said mounting hole in said mounting seat, and an engaging member connected to said coupling end portion of said operating member and disposed outwardly of said first surface of said mounting seat; said operating member being operable so as to enable said engaging member to rotate about the central axis from a disengaged position, where said engaging member disengages said anchoring member on said frame body, to an engaged position, where said engaging member engages said anchoring member on said frame body such that said mounting seat is fastened securely to said frame body so as to maintain engagement between said engaging post and the fastening hole in the peripheral device.
 2. The computer housing as claimed in claim 1, wherein said anchoring member includes opposite hooks spaced apart from each other, each of said hooks having a first plate portion connected to said frame body and extending toward said first surface of said mounting seat, and a second plate portion connected to said first plate portion and extending toward the other one of said hooks, said engaging member of said engaging unit having an engaging end portion provided with opposite engaging flanges to engage respectively said hooks when said engaging member is in the engaged position.
 3. The computer housing as claimed in claim 1, wherein said coupling end portion of said operating member has an engaging wall extending in the direction from said operating end portion and into said mounting hole in said mounting seat and formed with an engaging notch, said engaging member having an engaging hook extending into said mounting hole in said mounting seat and engaging said engaging notch in said engaging wall.
 4. The computer housing as claimed in claim 3, wherein said coupling end portion of said operating member further has opposite coupling walls extending in the direction from said operating end portion and into said mounting hole in said mounting seat and confining a fastener-receiving space therebetween, said engaging member being formed with a through hole, and having a screw fastener that extends through said through hole and into said fastener-receiving space and that engages threadedly said coupling walls.
 5. The computer housing as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second surface of said mounting seat is formed with a resilient arm thereon, said resilient arm being formed with a positioning protrusion, said operating end portion of said operating member being formed with two positioning apertures spaced apart angularly from each other, said positioning protrusion engaging one of said positioning apertures in said operating end portion when said engaging member is in the disengaged position, and engaging the other one of said positioning apertures in said operating end portion when said engaging member is in the engaged position.
 6. The computer housing as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first surface of said mounting seat is formed with a positioning stub, said frame body being formed with a positioning hole for engaging said positioning stub.
 7. The computer housing as claimed in claim 1, wherein said frame body is formed with a resilient member adapted to abut against the peripheral device when the peripheral device is fastened to said computer housing.
 8. A fastening mechanism for fastening a peripheral device to a frame body, the peripheral device being formed with a fastening hole, the frame body being formed with an anchoring member and a through hole, said fastening mechanism comprising: a mounting seat having a first surface that is adapted to face the frame body and a second surface opposite to said first surface in a direction, and formed with a mounting hole extending from said first surface through said second surface, said first surface being formed with an engaging post adapted to extend through the through hole in the frame body and adapted to extend into the fastening hole in the peripheral device; and an engaging unit mounted on said mounting seat and rotatable relative to said mounting seat about a central axis of said mounting hole in said mounting seat, said engaging unit including an operating member having an operating end portion disposed outwardly of said second surface of said mounting seat, and a coupling end portion opposite to said operating end portion in the direction and disposed in said mounting hole in said mounting seat, and an engaging member connected to said coupling end portion of said operating member and disposed outwardly of said first surface of said mounting seat; said operating member being operable so as to enable said engaging member to rotate about the central axis from a disengaged position, where said engaging member is adapted to disengage the anchoring member on the frame body, to an engaged position, where said engaging member is adapted to engage the anchoring member on the frame body such that said mounting seat is adapted to be fastened securely to the frame body so as to maintain engagement between said engaging post and the fastening hole in the peripheral device.
 9. The fastening mechanism as claimed in claim 8, wherein said coupling end portion of said operating member has an engaging wall extending in the direction from said operating end portion and into said mounting hole in said mounting seat and formed with an engaging notch, said engaging member having an engaging hook extending into said mounting hole in said mounting seat and engaging said engaging notch in said engaging wall.
 10. The fastening mechanism as claimed in claim 9, wherein said coupling end portion of said operating member further has opposite coupling walls extending in the direction from said operating end portion and into said mounting hole in said mounting seat and confining a fastener-receiving space therebetween, said engaging member being formed with a through hole, and having a screw fastener that extends through said through hole and into said fastener-receiving space and that engages threadedly said coupling walls.
 11. The fastening mechanism as claimed in claim 8, wherein said second surface of said mounting seat is provided with a resilient arm thereon, said resilient arm being formed with a positioning protrusion, said operating end portion of said operating member being formed with two positioning apertures spaced apart angularly from each other, said positioning protrusion engaging one of said positioning apertures in said operating end portion when said engaging member is in the disengaged position, and engaging the other one of said positioning apertures in said operating end portion when said engaging member is in the engaged position. 